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Harcourt’s forceful balladry is as warm and dark as the real ale he brews — a rich companion for these raw January days

The London troubadour has been prolific of late, writing for Sophie
Ellis-Bextor, launching a real ale and knocking out this shadowy mini-album
ahead of a full LP of “evil songs” (comparatively speaking perhaps). The
concision suits him well. Spooky theremin vibes on opening track Come into
My Dreamland suggest his interior life to be a William Blake painting of
celestial fairies — and overall the forceful balladry is somehow both as
warm and dark as the Harcourt ale itself (6.8 per cent!). In other words, a
rich companion for these raw January days. (CCCLX, out